System for disposing of sewage



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. R. `1:"[Il\IS'DALE.v

SYSTEM POR DISPSING 0F SBWAGE.

Patented July 27, 1886.

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W. R. HINSDALE.

SYSTEM POR DISPOSING 0F SBWAGB.

No. 346,203. Patented July 27, 1886.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

W. R. HINSDALE.k

SYSTEM POR DIsPosING 0F SBWAGE.

No. 346,203. Patented July 27, 1.886.

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NITED STATES PATENT Trice,

VILLIAM R. HINSDALE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SYSTEM FOR DISPOSING OF SEWAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346,203, dated Ju1y27,1886.

Application filed October 1885.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, WILLIAM R. l-IINsDALE,

a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, Kings county, NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems forDisposingI of Sewage, fully described and represented in the followingspecification and the accompanying d rawings,form' ing a part of thesame. l

The object of this invention is to dispose of the sewage withoutdetriment to health, and the system is based upon the principle that thesewage should bekept under control without exposure over an extendedsurface and rendered not only harmless, but to some extent of value byconvertingit immediately to useful purposes. It is also based upon theassumption that the surface-water and soil-drainage are disposed of by asystem entirely distinet from that which handles the sewage matter.

My invention is intended to precipitate the sewage matter in suitabletanks arranged to be used alternately, and so connected with absorbentcesspools or other outlets that the clarified duid can be decanted fromthe surface of the tank, whatever its level, without disturbing thesedimentary deposit. It is also intended to furnish a forced ventilationof the sewage works and the system of sewers connected therewith. Itisalso intended to convert the sludge into a compost or fertilizer ofdifferent character by the admixture with the sludge of absorbentmaterials having a value of their own as fertilizing agents. For thispurpose I may use slaked lime, marl, or bonedust,spent bone, charcoal,calcined plaster-ofparis, or uncalcined ground gypsum. My inventiontherefore includes a iilter applied to the surface of the clarifiedliquid to drain the same continuousl y from the scttling-tank,while suchsurface is gradually lowered by the removal of the fluid. It alsoincludes an exhaust-blower connected with the sewer-pipes only, anddischarging into a Ventilating-chimney, the draft thus induced in thechimney being utilized to induce a ventilation of the sewage-tanks.

My improvements will be understood by reference to the annexed drawings,in which Figure l represents a plan of the sewageworks applied at theextremity of the main Serial No. 179,160. (No model.)

sewer, the roof of the settling-tanks being removed, and the Variouspipe-connections being shown as opening directly into the severalreceptacles and into one another. Fig. 2 represents a verticalcross-section ofthe works on line x :vin Fig. l. Fig. 3 represents arear elevation of the works with the chimney in section and the pipesH'H exposed, to indicate the passages for the induced draft whichventilates the settling-tanks. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of one ofthe tanks I, show ing the floating filter; and Fig. 5 is a verticalsection, upon an enlarged scale, ou line e' .e iu Fig. 1, of thesludge-pit and elevator eon nected therewith, this View showing thedetails of construction, which are entirely omit ted from the otherfigures, Fig. l representing the cesspools, sludge-pits, and the variousarchitectural structures merely in a ground plan, Without projectingupon such plan any of their upper parts,as man-holes, covers, &c.

L represents the main sewer,whieh collects the sewage from a givensection, and I I I2 la a series of settling-tanks,with which the seweris connected by branches B, in which cocks B B are inserted.

A is a pipe for feeding suitable chemicals into the sewage matter as itis passed to the tanks, to throw down the solid matter contained in thesewage, so that the clarified liquid may be separated therefrom.

N are absorbent eesspools connected with the settling-tanks by pipes N,the latter entering the tanks near the bottom, and being there providedwith a hinged pipe, C, to the top of which is swiveled a Iioatingfilter, O, adapted to float upon the clarified lluid, and to dischargethe same into the pipe G when the connecting-cock P in thecesspool-pipes is opened.

E are cemented sludge-pits connected with the bottom of the tank bypipes D, having cocks D' inserted therein, and H are air-pipesconnecting the upper parts ofthe cesspools N with the air-space underthe roof J, over the settling-tanks. The walls of all the tanks arecarried up to the roof, and the latter is suiiciently elevated above thefluid-level in the tanks to permit an operator to walk around upon agallery, It, and to cleanse the interior ofthe tank by means of a hose,when empty.

R are piers (shown in the plan) to strengthen ICO the wall and supportsuch gallery, and S,`in Fig. 3, are doors leading through the outer wallto the gallery.

T are ventilator-openings by which the tanks are ventilated, inconnection with pipes H, which are conducted to the base of theVentilating-chimney O.

Q is a building adapted to contain a boiler, engine, and exhaust-blowerK, the suction side of the blower being connected to the main sewer-pipeL by a pipe, F, and the sewer-gas being discharged by the blower intothe chimney by an upturned nozzle, U,to create a strong upward drafttherein.

The operation of these devices is as follows: The pipes B permit theintroduction of the sewage to each of the settling-tanks, and the firsttank, as I, being filled, the gate B, connecting with the sewer-pipe L,is closed, and the gate to the next tank is opened, permitting thesewage to flow into the same, while the sewage in the iirst tank isallowed to remain during the period necessary to settle the solid matterin a sediment at the bottom 0f the tank, the required precipitationbeing effected by the introduction of suitable chemicals through thepipe A as the sewage passes to the tanks. rlhe pipe A is shown in Fig. 1connected to a chemical feeder, A', constructed to discharge the iiuidat the desired rate,

the feeder being located in a building, A2. The use of such chemicalsbeing well known for this purpose, .I do not make any claim to their useherein. W'hen the sewage in the first tank is properly clarified, thecock l?, leading to the absorbent cesspools, is opened, and the clearfluid is allowed to pass through the filter C and pipe Cinto the pipes Nto one or more of such cesspools, the filter being constructed in anyconvenient manner to admit the fluid to the pipes C, and to prevent theaccess of any floating particles which might clog such pipe. Such filteris shown herein as a box perforated upon the under side, which may befilled with straw or other fibrous material, and having an outlet intothe pipe C below the surface of the fluid, so that the flow isvoluntarily established aslsoon as the connection to the cesspools isopened. The filter is made'sufciently buoyant to sustain the pipe C, thehinge joint at the lower end of the pipe permitting the filter todescend as the level falls in the tank, and the operator closing theoutletvalve P when the clear liquid is entirely drawn off, and only thesludge remains in the bottom. Ifpreferrcd,the cock P may be dispensedwith and the pipe C be secured in an erect position until required foruse, when the lowering of the pipe and the immersion of the filter inthe surface of the liquid will suffice to discharge the fluid to thecesspools. Cocks 1) may be applied in the pipes tothe several cesspools,to cut any of them offfrom the system when repairs are required. Thecock D is then opened and the sludge dischargedinto the pit E, itsflow-from the tank being facilitated by the use of a small hose and awater-j et applied to the sides and bottom of the tank by"a man upon thegallery. It is well known that the clear liquid separated from sewage bya careful precipitation' may be discharged into streams of running waterwithout any offen-k sive or injurious results; and where suchdisposition of the fiuid is possible, it would be employed in connectionwith the settling-tanks` and Ventilating devices Ishown herein. Theabsorbent cesspools shown herein may be used where the soil is porous,and where no running stream is available tofreceive the clarifiedliquid; and the sludgel from the pitsE may be removed by connecting aportable exhausted receiver thereto, and thecontents of the pits v Itwill be noticed that the exhausttherefore being confined exclusively tothe system of closed pipes which lead into the main sewer. The gas drawnfrom this source is discharged into the chimney at such a point as tocreate a strong upward draft, andto induce a suction in the pipes Hwhich lead to they air-space above the fiuid in the settling-tanks. Thisair-space being connected by pipesH (which are shown onlyin Fig. 2) withthe upper parts of the cesspools, thesuction is extended to them also,and the gases are thus constantly drawn from the cesspools and the tanksbyk such induced draft. As the cubic capacity of the tanks and cesspoolsis quite large, compared to that of the sewer-pipes, it is obvious thatthe exhaust-blower will operate much more efficiently if used toventilate all these receptacles by an induced draft than if it wereconnected directly with the tanks. It is necessary to ventilate eachtank most thoroughly when it is entered by the operator to wash out thesludge, and I effect such result by closing the ventilator-openingsl vinall the other tanks at such time and admitting the air freely bythe saidopenings in the settlingtank that is to be ventilated most eiciently. Itis obvious that the induced draft in th'e pipes H would then operatechiefly within the settling-tank where the'outer air'was admitted; andthat the gases would be speedily removed from such tank by the draftcreated therein toward the chimney O. .If desired, lgatescan lOO beinserted-in the pipes H toshut otf the suc-V tion from any of the tanks,and to concentrate it where desired; and it is also obvious thattrapsfmay be applied-to the branches B, which connect the sewer L withthe several tanks to prevent the blower-suction from operating upon thetanks through the said branches. By the use of such ventilatiiigapparatus the gases are discharged at such an elevation above the groundas to be speedily diffused and rendered harmless, and the discharge ofthe gases from] the chimney and their dispersion to a higher level maybe still further promoted by discharging lieat-ed air into the chimney,as by pipe V from the furnace X,

which is used to drive the engine Y and blower K.

The means for thickening the sludge and fitting it for transportation isshown in Fig. 5, and consists first in mixing ground gypsum or otherabsorbent substances with the sludge in tliepit to which it isdischarged from the settling-tank. lo effect suoli mixing, thesludge-pit is provided with a stirring-shaft, a, having mixing-blades b,preferably made of flat bars twisted, of various angles to a horizontalplane, so as to move themass upward and downward within the pit duringthe stirring operation, to fully incorporate its ingredients. Thestirring-sliaft is represented as driven by a driving-shaft, Z, andbevelwheels m, which may be done when steampower is available for thepurpose, or horsepower, or any other agency may be einployed. A pulley,n, is shown upon the upper elevator-shaft and driven by a bolt, o, froma pulley, p, upon the stirring-shaft; but other means may be used tooperate the elevator, as such construction forms no part of myinvention. A man-hole, k, is provided in the top of the pit to pour inthe absorbent materials, and a discharge-outlet, c, provided with a dooror gate, f, is formed at the bottom of the pit, and a wiper, e, affixedto the shaft, serves to discharge the compost from such outlet whenopened. An elevator consisting of a chain or bolt, y, carrying buckets71., is mounted adjacent to the sludge-pit, to elevate its contents fromthe outlet e to a platform upon the level of the ground, where thecompost may be discharged through a chute, i, directly into a barrel, asshown in Fig. 5. The chemical construction of such compost may beobviously varied by the introduction of suitable ingi'edieiits dui-ingthe mixing operation, and the product be thereby adapted for fertilizinga variety of soils or crops. The elevator may also be used to dischargethe compost in a bin, from which it can be shoveled into wagons or carsfor transportation in bulk.

By the use of the entire apparatus for separating the solid and fluidparts of the sewage it will be seen that the process can be conductedentirely in closed receptacles, which are ventilated in such a mainieras to prevent the escape of any noxious gases, and the entire operationis thus effected without contaminating the surrounding atmosphere orinjuriously affecting the health of the operator employed.

By the use of my apparatus the sludge may be utilized without theadniixture of other substances where there are agricultural purposes towhich it may be adapted adjacent to the works, while my system alsoprovides a means of converting a sludge into a valuable fertilizerconvenient for transportation.

It will be noticed that any fertilizing agents that may be mixed withthe sludge to absorb its superfluous moisture impart au additional valueto the compost, which is precisely equal to their own fertilizingproperties. Such inaterials as bone-dust and lime-phosphate maytherefore be used to iientralize the moisture of the sludge, and renderthe mixture fit for transportation, with the certainty that thefertilizing value of the compost will be greater than the initial costof any such absorbent material.

Having thus set forth the nature and objects of my invention, I claim myspecific improveincnts in the following manner:

l. In a system for disposing of sewage, the combination, with asewer-branch, of a settling-tank, I, a filter, C', applied to thesurface of the tanks contents, and a pipe-connection from such filter,arranged and operated to discharge the clarified liquid from the filter,substantially as herein set forth.

2. The combination, with asewer-braiicli, B, of a settling-tank, I, afloating filter, C', applied to the surface oft-he tanks contents, andabsorbent cesspools for receiving the clarified 1iquid,and apipe-connection from such filter, arranged and operated to discharge theliquid into the cesspools, substantially as herein set forth.

3. rlhe combination, with a sewer, of a settling-tank, I, a sludge-pit,E,`one or more absorbent cesspools, N, a floating filter and suitableconnections for drawing off the clarified liquid to the cesspools, and aconnection from the bottoni of the settling-tank to the sludgepit, thecesspool and sludge-pit being closed to prevent the escape of gases,substantially as herein set forth.

4. rlhe combination, with a main sewer, L, of a series of settling-tanksconnected therewith by bi'anches B and gates B, each settlingtank beingconnected at its bottom with a sludge-pit, and provided with a floatingfilter, and pipe-connections from said filter to a series of absorbentcesspools connected with the other tanks, substantially as herein setforth.

5. The combination, with a main sewer, L, and a series of inclosed orcovered settlingtanks connected thereto by branches and gates, asdescribed, ofan exhaust-blower drawing its suction from the main seweronly, and a ventilating chimney receiving the gases discharged from theblower, substantially as shown and described.

6. The combination, with a main sewer, L, of a series of iiiclosed orcovered tanks connected thereto by branches and gates, as dcscribed, andprovided with adjustable ventilating-openings, a Ventilating-chininey,O, a pipe, H., connecting each tank with the ehiniiiey, anexhaust-blower drawing its suction from the main sewer only, anddischarging the TOC gases into the chimney to induce a draft in thepipes I-I, and thereby Ventilating the tanks indirectly, substantiallyas shown and described.

7. rlhe combination, with a main sewer, L, of a series of coveredsettling-tanks connected thereto by branches and gates, as described, aseries of absorbent eesspools connected with the tanks to receive theclarified liquid, ventilating-pipes connecting the ccsspools with theair -space above the tanks, Ventilatingehimney O, pipes II, connectingthe chimney with said air-space, and an exhaust-blower drawing itssuction from the sewer only and discharging into the chimney only,substantially as shown and described.

8. In a sewagework's, the combination,with a settling-tank, of a pitadapted to receive the sludge therefrom, and a stirring device appliedto the pit to mix other ingredients with the sludge, substantially asshown and described.

9. In a sewage-works, the con1bination,with a settlingtank, o1" a pitadapted to receive the sludge therefrom, a stirring device applied tothe pit, an outlet at the bottom of the pit, and

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set\35 Y i my hand in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

W'ILLI AM It. HINSDALE.

Vitnesses:

Trios. S. CRANE, L. LEE.

